Authors: Aleatha Romig
Later in the afternoon as the warmth
continued to build, Claire took off her shoes and socks and
ventured into the water. The soft underwater terrain squished
beneath her toes. The warm sun on her skin and the cool water on
her feet created the perfect balance.
“
We could swim?” Tony
offered.
“
I didn’t bring a bathing
suit.”
“
Me either,” he managed
with a sultry grin. Claire laughed and declined his offer. Instead,
they lounged on the blanket in their shorts. As the sun’s rays
intensified, Tony removed his shirt. Claire found the view from the
blanket very enjoyable.
No man chooses evil because
it is evil;
he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he
seeks.
-- Mary Wollstonecraft
Shelley
Chapter
45
September 1989
Anton eased his rental car in the parking
space at the Royal Hotel on Century Boulevard. Thankfully the low
watt overhead lights did little to brighten the shabby cracked
asphalt lot. Even if he tried, he couldn’t ignore the beat-up old
automobiles filling many of the available spaces. With the demise
of his family’s fortune, Anton had fallen. He was extremely
thankful he hadn’t fallen this far. And under normal circumstances
he’d never step into the likes of this flea infested hotel.
It was a place where whores and junkies
rented rooms by the hour. For some it was a living, for others –
their death. It was the last place in Santa Monica anyone would
expect a Rawls to stay. For that reason and that reason alone, it
is where Anton safely stowed his step-grandmother.
Technically, Marie wasn’t his
step-grandmother any longer. Nathaniel suffered a massive heart
attack four months ago. His death came two months before the
completion of his sentence. The news sent shock waves through
Anton’s family like a 7.0 earthquake.
Prior to Nathaniel’s passing, Samuel Rawls
sought legal declaration voiding his father’s marriage to Catherine
Marie London. While few states allowed third party challenges to
marriage, New York had a unique rule allowing the ability to annul
a marriage and defeat the property consequences of said marriage.
Both Nathaniel and Marie fought Samuel’s efforts. Despite
Nathaniel’s incarceration, his power managed to keep Samuel’s
allegations out of court.
Although Samuel never visited his father in
the minimum security prison, the moment he learned of Nathaniel’s
passing, his attorney successfully filed the necessary paperwork.
Because Samuel had begun the annulment prior to his father’s death,
the legal action survived.
In order to
void
a marriage, one of
the following situations must be proven: fraud, duress, mental
incompetence (either permanent or temporary), undue influence,
sham, jest, and underage (voidable in a majority of jurisdictions).
Samuel’s suit claimed mental incompetence and undue
influence.
It wasn’t property from the marriage Samuel
sought. Most of the family assets were gone, seized by the federal
government. Rawls Corporation was sold. It no longer existed as a
whole but parted out to many different procurers. The contents of
the large home in upstate New Jersey were auctioned to the highest
bidders, and the estate now belonged to a prominent sports star.
The resulting proceeds sat in trusts, waiting to be funneled to
those wronged investors. Of course, the attorneys would take their
share first. What was left would eventually make its way to the
people taking part in the claims and various class action
suits.
Thankfully, Samuel wasn’t
aware of Nathaniel’s overseas money. Samuel’s main objective was
Marie’s name. His case was only to strip
Rawls
from her title. Vindictive,
yes, but Samuel Rawls learned from the best. In one bold move, he
punished Marie for replacing his mother and Nathaniel for wronging
their family.
Anton tried to act as mediator. His father
was not receptive. It didn’t matter to Samuel that Marie loved his
father, that she had sat through every minute of his trial, and
that she visited Nathaniel every week for twenty-two months.
Nathaniel had always been gruff and
commanding, but there were times a softer side emerged. In Anton’s
memory those instances usually involved his grandmother or Marie.
Anton remembered one of his last visits with his grandfather. They
were in the dingy pale green visitor’s room, and Nathaniel was
giving Anton business advice.
“
Boy, when I’m out of here
we’re going to start new.”
“
Yes, Sir, I told you
about the project I’m working on with a friend.”
Nathaniel answered, “Yes, something about
computers and getting information fast.”
“
Yes, it’s called a search
engine. We have some great ideas...”
“
I don’t know about that.
I do know you need money to make money. I know you can begin this
start-up computer search thing and when it hits – move on. Buy,
invest, sell, and just remember, it’s the bottom line. Your father
always worried about people.” Nathaniel stood and paced behind the
table. A habit he had when he was thinking, especially when the
subject agitated him. It reminded Anton of watching a caged lion.
“Where are those damn people now?” Nathaniel asked. Not waiting for
a response, he continued, “They’re gone! They don’t give a damn
about me, Marie, you, or even your damn parents. Do you think any
of them give a shit if you have the money to grow this idea of
yours?”
“
No, Sir, but that doesn’t
matter. I will make this work.”
“
Damn right, but it is
money that will help you. I’ve spoken with Marie about this.
Regarding the money we’ve discussed, you can use as much as you
need to get your project working. When I’m out of here, I’ll help
with the growing, investing, and selling. Be smart, boy. If you
have too much, the damn feds will be on you before you know
it.”
“
Thank you, sir. But I
can’t take Marie’s money.”
“
I know your father thinks
very little of her. But that woman is one
mighty
remarkable woman. She doesn’t
care about the money. Just don’t let your father get to her. I’m an
old man. It helps me to know she has you on the outside to take
care of her, if things get too rough.”
“
I will do that,
sir.”
*****
As Anton walked in the shadows toward room
12 A, he thought about how rough things had become. He never
expected this family feud to end this way, but he wasn’t completely
surprised.
When he came to Santa Monica to visit his
parents, Anton wanted to discuss the recent ruling successfully
voiding Marie’s marriage. He wasn’t relishing the idea of listening
to his parents’ victory speech.
Anton wanted to stop the law suit; he tried.
By tolerating the ruling to pass, he felt he’d disappointed his
grandfather. He’d hoped this visit could bring about a compromise.
Samuel had made his point. Now that Marie was planning on appealing
the decision, perhaps Samuel could allow her to proceed.
Anton never had the chance to talk to his
father or his mother. When he entered their bungalow three days
ago, he found them dead. Immediately, Anton knew Marie had made it
there first.
Her rendition of events
was not too farfetched, if you knew the history. According to
Marie, she went to their home to
talk
. It was Samuel who exploded
first. He ordered her off his property. When she refused and asked
to explain, Amanda entered the conversation. Supporting her
husband, she told Marie to leave. It was Marie’s second time to
attempt this discussion. More than anything, she wanted to make
them understand.
Marie was determined to talk until they
listened. Amanda was the one to surprise Marie with a gun. Marie’s
memories were fuzzy after that. There was a struggle. She didn’t
intend to kill them, but once Samuel was shot, Marie knew if either
lived, she’d be arrested. She couldn’t endure what Nathaniel had in
prison; she just couldn’t. The combination of pent-up rage, years
of degradation, fear and self-preservation all fueled Marie’s
ability to stage the final scene. She knew the exuberance of the
gun shots nullified the murder/suicide theory. Yet, Marie hoped the
scene she staged would aid in that notion.
Next, Marie turned up their television and
cleaned away evidence of their scuffle. Her finger prints were
wiped away. By all accounts she was still in New York. She’d driven
the three thousand miles in her own old Honda, using cash along the
way. There were no records of her traveling to California. No one
knew she was there, except Anton.
Opening the door of 12 A, Anton entered the
small stale hotel room. The stench of old tobacco and bodily fluids
filled Anton’s senses. It was enough to quench any desire he’d
previously had of food. Nonetheless, he brought food from a local
drive through. Placing the bag and cups on the small table, he
said, “I brought this for you.”
“
Anton, I want to get out
of this dump. When will it be safe for me to leave?”
He paced the only space
large enough to take more than three steps, near the end of the
bed. He considered sitting; however, the filth and stains on the
furniture quickly changed his mind. “A few more days. I’ve been
talking to the police and making all the necessary arrangements. So
far the neighbor, Chester, is cooperating. He made one statement
that first night to some cop. After that, he conveniently forgot
about my
father’s sister’s
visit.”
“
It’s going to cost money
to keep him quiet, isn’t it?”
“
Yes, but I’ve negotiated.
It won’t all be up front, more of a yearly settlement.”
“
Did he agree?” Marie
asked.
“
I’m a very good
negotiator. He understands -- sudden wealth brings questions. This
will be mutually beneficial. Over time his payments will increase
and it assures us of his future cooperation.”
Marie stood before Anton. He looked at the
woman his grandfather loved. She looked so much older than three
years his senior. Her tired gray eyes cried out in anguish over the
events of the past few months. She’d lost her husband, her name,
and now her money. Anton knew he could turn her in to the police
and go on with his life. Marie knew that too.
“
I will repay you for
this.” She said, with her eyes lowered trying not to notice the
grime on the worn carpet. Marie continued, “I know you are doing
this for Nathaniel, not for me. But, I thank you.”
He lifted her chin; she was his
grandfather’s wife. She needed to act as such. “You are right. And
you are a Rawls; don’t ever look down like that. I am the one who
failed him by not stopping my father’s law suit. I will not fail
him again.”
“
I came to your family as
hired help. I am not above doing that again. I can work for
you.”
Anton stared. His mind filled with memories
of his family. He remembered the dinners in the grand dining room
-- his grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, Marie, and him.
How had it come down to just the two of them? “I’m not sure how
this arrangement will work. I don’t exactly have need for household
staff at this point.”
“
You will.” In the midst
of total chaos, Marie’s tone rang with confidence. “You are
Nathaniel’s grandson. You will succeed. I have no
doubt.”
Anton remembered
Nathaniel’s evaluation:
She is mighty
remarkable
. He replied, “I will not
abandon you. In a few more days we should be able to move you. Once
we get you back to New York, we will create a timeline, an iron
clad alibi for your whereabouts during my parent’s death. The
future will work itself out.”
“
It will, Anton. I have
confidence in you.” She reached for his shoulders, there was no
sexual attraction. They were family. Marie felt as if she were
looking into Nathaniel’s eyes each time she stared into Anton’s
deep dark irises. The touch was merely a point of contact. They
were together in this mess and bound forever by Nathaniel. “You
know, your grandfather had plans for after his release. I’ve had a
lot of time to think about those during these past few
days.”
“
He told me.” Her
determination impressed Anton.
“
I can help. I
want
to help. Truly I
didn’t intend to kill your parents, but I’m not sorry they’re gone.
I could lie and tell you I am. But, I won’t.” Anton nodded. “There
are others who assisted in putting Nathaniel in prison, your father
was but one.”
“
I have names. However,
this will take time and money.”
Marie smiled, “I have time. You make us more
money.”
The truth is rarely pure
and never simple.
- Oscar
Wilde
Chapter
46
Sophia exhaled and spoke determinedly, “Mr.
George, I’ll consider the most recent offer, but I’m afraid I
cannot give you an answer today or tomorrow.” She didn’t wait for
his response. “I will call you when I make my decision.
Good-bye.”
Silvia looked questionably at her daughter.
“You are too busy to be babysitting your old parents.”
“
I’m hardly babysitting.
You and Pop are helping me get this studio ready to
open.”